What an opening weekend it’s been of the NPL Victoria, with the NPL2 season launching on Saturday afternoon and some mammoth results across the three leagues – most surprisingly, a 6-0 win for South Melbourne over old foes Heidelberg United. Melbourne Victory got their campaign off to a winning start, while fellow promoted side Richmond SC succumbed to a well oiled Hume City.
READ MORE > The Friday Wrap: Rams fight, Champions prevail
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Melbourne Victory walked on to the pitch at Epping Stadium for their first match in the top division of the NPL Victoria against Northcote City, triumphing 1-0 to secure the three points.
A number of missed opportunities for both squads meant the scoreboard didn’t change for the majority of the match as it remained deadlocked until late in the second half.
Lucas Spinella was forced well into action either side of the half, first tipping away Aaron Ward’s strike from distance, then denying him again from even further out with another diving stop.
In the 76th minute, Joshua Hope found space in the midfield to feed the ball forward to link up with Kieran Dover. Together they moved towards the area, where Dover lifted a cross past three defenders to find captain Joey Katebian at the back post.
In stylish form, Katebian made no mistake, angling his header into the top left corner, finding the net and giving Victory the only goal for the match securing the win in their first outing for 2016.
NPL Round 1: Melbourne Victory 1 def Northcote City 0Melbourne Victory walked on to the pitch at Epping Stadium for their first match in the top division of NPL Victoria against Northcote City FC.A number of missed opportunities for both squads meant the scoreboard didn’t change for the majority of the match. In the 76th minute, Joshua Hope found space in the midfield to feed the ball forward to link up with Kieran Dover. Together they moved towards the area, where Dover lifted a cross past three defenders to find captain Joey Katebian near the back post.In stylish form, Katebian made no mistake, angling his header into the top left corner, finding the net and giving Victory the only goal for the match – featured in the footage below – securing the 3 points in their first outing for 2016.Goalkeeper Lucas Spinella spoke to The Corner Flag after the match, providing his thoughts on the contest.#PS4NPLVIC
Posted by The Corner Flag on Saturday, 20 February 2016
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Hume City turned the style on at ABD Stadium, piling three unanswered goals past Richmond SC on Saturday night.
Hernan Espindola starred for his new club sitting in behind the strikers and capped off a vibrant display with a goal on debut for the NPL heavy-hitters.
The former Melbourne City man carried the ball through midfield, cutting onto his right foot and steering a shot past Richmond stopper Christian Rossi.
Earlier, Shaun Timmins had nodded home from Nick Hegarty’s free-kick, while substitute Theo Markelis doubled the lead having latched onto a ball from Espindola.
The game wasn’t without its downside for Hume, who lost attacking midfielder Daniel Visevic to a suspected serious shoulder injury.
Hernan Espindola scores for Hume City► The moment Hernan Espindola scored his first Hume City goal in our 3-0 win over Richmond SC 1953 #HCvRSC 3-0 NPL Victoria
Posted by Hume City F.C. on Saturday, 20 February 2016
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(click image for full report)
With the final game of the round came a result no one saw coming, as a clinical South Melbourne piled six goals past 10-man Heidelberg United.
In front of a bumper crowd, Nick Epifano opened his club’s account for 2016, following up Iqi Jawadi’s initial shot.
Milos Lujic in similar fashion followed up Marcus Schroen’s parried shot to double their lead, before Epifano hit the goal of the night with a stunning left-footed curler from outside the area.
Matthew Millar won a penalty for South on debut, displaying a fleet of foot to punish Les Doumbalis’ missed interception, then pushing the ball wide past Chris Theodoridis and being brought down.
The Heidelberg keeper was sent off and Epifano stepped up to slot home a first half hat-trick from the spot.
Second half goals came from Matthew Theodore on his 150th VPL/NPL League appearance and Iqi Jawadi at the death, rounding off a stellar afternoon for the reigning Minor Premiers.
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In the NPL2 East, Eastern Lions got off to a great start, piling on the goals in a 4-1 victory over Brunswick City. Sam Burfoot kicked things off with a powerful effort, before Frank Serratore found an equaliser from a goalmouth scramble. Three goals in the second half to Chris Droutsas (first time effort in the box), Mitch Beamish (side foot finish from Philip Ajao’s cross) and an Ajao penalty in the 90th minute sealed the result. FULL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS HERE
#PS4NPLVIC Havercroft SaveAn early contender for save of the season from Robert Havercroft of Eastern Lions SC-The Official SiteCheck out the full highlights via Brunswick City Soccer Club – http://on.fb.me/21gYDMa
Posted by NPL Victoria on Saturday, 20 February 2016
Murray United left it late, but they enjoyed a share of the spoils against Dandenong City courtesy of a 95th minute equaliser from Zac Walker. Chris Antoniadis had earlier gifted City the lead in the second half, as the visitors looked to take the full complement of points back with them from regional Victoria. Instead Walker was able to poke the ball home to earn his side a 1-1 draw.
Goulburn Valley Suns and Springvale White Eagles played out the pick of the games of the round, with the Suns snatching an unlikely 3-2 victory right at the death. Last year’s equal NPL1 Golden Boot winner Craig Carley struck twice, including a 94th minute winner after seeing White Eagles substitute Damir Stoilovic initially equalise in the 91st minute. Anthony Giannopoulos struck the crossbar with a curling effort early before the Suns fell behind to Jason Ricciuti penalty. Carley equalised just beyond the hour mark, before Dimitar Mitkov was sent off for the White Eagles. Danial Marimbe looked to have won the tie for the Suns in the 73rd minute, holding a 2-1 lead, only Stoilovic to strike back with a header in injury time. Up stepped Carley who dispatched a well weighted cross to send the visiting support into raptures.
Dandenong Thunder put four goals past Nunawading City, in a result that could prove reflective of the season as a whole for the two sides. Promising signs for Nunawading City at half-time however as they managed to keep their more fancied opponents to nil at the break, but they were overpowered in a clinical 13 minute spell from Huss Skenderovic’s men, who saw Amir Osmancevic hit a quick-fire brace – including a pearler from 25-yards – ably backed up by Daniel Bennett and experienced campaigner Veton Korcari who scored one a piece in the 4-0 rout.
Dandenong Thunder VS Nunawading City FCMEDIA | GAMEDAY HIGHLIGHTSHere are the Official Match Highlights of our 4-0 victory against Nunawading City FC.Special Thanks to Jeton Qaniu for the Camerawork & Highlights Package.#FireUp #DTSC #DandenongThunder #PS4NPLVIC #PS4NPL2 #PUMA #ForeverFaster
Posted by Dandenong Thunder SC on Sunday, 21 February 2016
Kingston City play Box Hill United tonight at The Grange Reserve in the marquee fixture of the round.
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Melbourne City turned on the style in their 4-0 NPL2 West drubbing of Bendigo City. Elder statesman Phil Petreski bent a perfect free-kick into the net for 1-0, before the exciting Stefan Zinni made it two with an easy finish. Defender Jordy Hall made it three before former South Melbourne junior Guiseppe Marafioti slotted home the fourth of the afternoon.
Moreland City took an early lead against Sunshine George Cross but weren’t able to hold on as the Georgies grabbed a late equaliser through new recruit Juso Julardzija for a 1-1 result. A peach of a free-kick from the edge of the area was dispatched to restore parity, although Sunshine had earlier missed a penalty from Chris Dib who hit the upright. Osman Kose fed through new recruit Apai Ukuno for the opener in the first half.
67′ PENALTY | Sunshine step up and hit post SGC 0-1 MC #SGCvMC #PS4NPLVIC pic.twitter.com/hDZaKr9EDe
— Moreland City FC (@morelandcityfc) February 20, 2016
Over at Morshead Park, Ballarat Red Devils succumbed to a fast starting Moreland Zebras, who nailed three unanswered goals past the hosts in the first half. Baggio Yousif was the hero with that first half hat-trick in a clinical display from the Zebras man. Red Devil Pat Karras found an early goal in the second half to give his side some hope, but it proved to be the last of the scoring for the afternoon as it finished 3-1.
New recruit Joe Monek played a starring role in St Albans Saints’ season opener as they secured a 1-1 draw with North Geelong Warriors. The former Melbourne City prospect was in the thick of things throughout the contest and had a number of opportunities to break the deadlock before eventually doing so in the second half. Resident penalty taker for the Warriors, centre-half Matt Townely equalised from the spot soon after, given for a foul by Saints keeper Alex Baird. FULL REPORT VIA ST ALBANS HERE, and VIA NORTH GEELONG HERE.
Equaliser for @NGWFC from the spot… #PS4NPLVIC pic.twitter.com/VUrERDP8FP
— Liam Bentley (@FootballLiam) February 21, 2016
A 96th minute Atilla Ofli equaliser – to complete his hat-trick – spared Whittlesea Ranges’ blushes against a Werribee City outfit that lead from start to finish, but had to settle for a 3-3 draw. Domenico Marafioti got the hosts of to a perfect start, putting the Bees in front with just a minute on the clock. Bobby Vidanovski made it two soon after to round off the scoring in the first half. Ofli pegged one back for the visitors just before the hour mark, only for Angus Martin to hit back almost immediately to restore Werribee’s two-goal cushion. Ofli completed his brace on 69 minutes before going on to tie the game in dramatic circumstances.